How to Protect : Cyber attack activity in the form of malware or whatever continues to increase lately. Even this past month, it is estimated that there have been hundreds of successful malware attacks.
In 2018, there were more than 800 million malware attacks. This figure experienced a drastic increase from 12.4 million in 2019.
Online hacking is done with phishing attempts and data breaches, so you need to know how to secure your smart devices, computers and home network from malware attacks. Without proper protection and security, personal information and other sensitive financial details can be spread widely in the public domain.
Understanding Malware and Viruses
Programs, software, and scripts are widely used to inject viruses into computers and wreak havoc on devices. This has been around since the dawn of computing technology.
Malware itself is any type of software, program, or script that may include viruses, spyware, and ransomware, which is used to infect and damage a device or hard drive.
With a significant increase in malware attempts and attacks worldwide, more and more online users are choosing to download VPNs to protect them, whenever they access the internet.
Why is Malware Used?
Hackers and digital thieves use malware to infect computers, causing damage to hard drives and devices as a whole, or even to infiltrate networks, effectively allowing them to access the network or the entire system.
There are many reasons why hackers try to hack into individual, business or online platforms.
Some of the most common reasons are for political purposes, personal matters with businesses or individuals, and for pleasure and for random purposes.
It’s not always easy to determine which hack attempt or what malware virus was used, for a reason. But the most important thing is to avoid being a potential target or victim of any kind of hacker.
Online Hacking, Data Breach and Phishing Scams
Currently, the world of e-commerce or online business shopping is also experiencing a lot of online hacking, misuse of data usage, and fraud. Given these conditions, the most important thing is to increase vigilance and you must protect personal information better.
Keeping up-to-date with the latest data breaches makes it much easier to update and change the passwords of websites or online accounts that may have been compromised.
It is highly recommended to update the password of any account that has been hijacked to avoid having your information stolen or used without your knowledge and permission.
You can also use websites such as HaveIBeenPwned.com to search for your email address that may be found in a hacked and compromised database.
e-mail and Malware
Did you know that 92 percent of all malware attacks occur via e-mail? Protecting yourself from e-mail containing viruses is very important and can drastically reduce the risk of fraud.
A few tips to keep in mind when accessing your e-mail inbox from your computer, tablet, or smartphone:
• Never open e-mails from unknown senders and recipients;
• Always verify the spelling of e-mail addresses to ensure that none of the addresses have been spoofed or spoofed;
• Never download or open a file contained in an e-mail without verifying the sender and running an antivirus scan on previously downloaded files;
• Always report spam e-mail to help your e-mail provider improve their own spam filtering system;
• Do not click and open e-mails that look suspicious or that have special characters in e-mail headers or e-mail addresses;
• Do not reply to spam e-mails or e-mails that have the potential to contain malware, as this may cause additional spam e-mails to enter your inbox.
Phone Scam
Phone scams are also not uncommon and may come in the form of automated calls, otherwise known as “Robocalls”. Despite laws being passed and banning Robocalls, the type is still a growing problem in the United States (US) and around the world.
After you answer a text or phone call from an unknown number, in some cases, your e-mail address may be placed into a database which only increases the amount of spam you receive.
Apart from that, spam texts also direct individuals to Malware and viruses when clicked, which is why it is very important to avoid and block spam as soon as it is received to prevent the risk of infecting your own mobile or tablet device.
Protecting Your Device Online
Whenever you are online, it is important to protect yourself. Even though you usually just browse the same websites or social media platforms every day, there is no guarantee that you will not be exposed to some form of Malware at some point.
Protecting your device online is not difficult and does not require extensive programming or technical knowledge to get started.
Use Antivirus Software
If your smartphone device allows you to download antivirus apps, then look for and compare antivirus apps that are compatible with your current operating system.
Using antivirus software is one of the best and most reliable methods to protect you while surfing the internet, sending e-mails, or even communicating with family and friends with your tablet or smartphone.
Antivirus software will notify you of potential risks, viruses and even Malware detected in e-mails, website URLs, and even unknown or high-risk links. Keep your antivirus software up to date at all times, to ensure that your computer and electronic devices are well equipped for any potential new vulnerabilities that you may encounter.
Use VPN
Choosing to use a VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is one of the fastest and most affordable methods to add an extra layer of security and protection to your online identity. VPNs allow users to virtually “mask” their IP address with a randomly generated IP address or an IP address from the user’s preferred region or country.
Using a VPN is a way for you to surf the internet without exposing your personal home or business IP address.
Use a VPN to browse anonymously and significantly reduce the risk of becoming a target for hackers or malware programs. With the right VPN, you can protect your own identity while gaining more access to content that isn’t available in your area or region.
Not only will a VPN provide the ability to browse and use the internet anonymously, but it is also optimal for anyone who wants to minimize their chances of becoming a targeted individual by hackers or anyone with malicious intent.
Avoid Downloading Sketch or Invasive Apps
When the latest meme trends come in the form of smartphone apps or new weight loss apps are released, it’s still important to spend some time researching apps and any form of software before installing them onto your device. Avoid downloading random or unknown apps from the market, as this can harm your device, location and personal information.
Always take the time to read and understand the terms of conditions and privacy policies of any application you install to your device or hard drive to minimize the risk of vulnerabilities, data breaches and hacking attempts or Malware. Read reviews and testimonials from authenticated and unbiased sources on any app you want to download and install, to verify that the app you want does not contain Malware or other suspicious tools or scripts.
Avoid Connecting to Public Wi-Fi Hotspots
Many local restaurants, hotels, bars and parks provide free public Wi-Fi hotspots. While in theory free public Wi-Fi hotspots sound attractive and idealistic, they are often a source of online crime or hacking.
Connecting your device to a public Wi-Fi hotspot can directly put your IP address at risk, especially if you do so while browsing websites that require a username and password.
Hackers and digital criminals use public Wi-Fi hotspots to target users en masse, especially when trying to hack into their personal information or spread viruses and Malware. If you wish to use a public Wi-Fi hotspot or if you have no alternative available nearby, it is highly recommended to avoid using bank accounts, identifying information, or even social media platforms.
Stay Informed about Online Malware Hacks and Scams
One of the best ways to reduce the risk of falling victim to a malware scam is to keep your smart device secure and stay informed about the latest hacks and scams at all times.
With the rapid revolution of the technology industry and the increase in online access, as well as the production and use of electronic devices, it is fair to assume that Malware attacks, breaches, and online fraud will continue to increase.
Take the time to research digital scams, the latest Malware scripts and tools in use, and the VPN solutions that might be right for you to maximize your safety and security every time you connect to the internet.
The best way to protect yourself from possible targets of Malware is to stay alert and aware of your actions whenever you are online at all times.
Although malware attacks and online fraud are on the rise, more and more internet users are becoming informed and aware of the potential for fraud when browsing online.
By taking the right steps and precautions to protect your smart device from Malware infection, you can continue to surf the internet, communicate freely, and download safely while still maintaining security. thoughts.
